Rachel Lederman, Raziel Lederman-Beach and Alexsis Beach at home in their kitchen. They are waiting the courts decision on same sex marriage, as they are both plaintiffs in the case.
On Thursday , May 15, 2008 in San Francisco, Calif Photo By Kurt Rogers / San Francisco Chronicle

Photo: Kurt Rogers

Rachel Lederman, Raziel Lederman-Beach and Alexsis Beach at home in...

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Diane Sabin, left, kisses her partner of 16 years Jewelle Gomez, right after hearing the Supreme Court decision on same sex marriages outside the court house in San Francisco, Calif., on Thursday, May 15, 2008. In a monumental victory for the gay rights movement, the California Supreme Court overturned a voter-approved ban on gay marriage Thursday in a ruling that would allow same-sex couples in the nation's biggest state to tie the knot. (AP Photo/ Tony Avelar)

Photo: Tony Avelar

Diane Sabin, left, kisses her partner of 16 years Jewelle Gomez,...

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California Supreme Court Rules On Gay Marriage

Photo: Justin Sullivan

California Supreme Court Rules On Gay Marriage

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San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom and his Director of Communications, Nathan Ballard, right, reacts to the news that the California Supreme Court has overturned a ban on gay marriages, in his office in San Francisco, Thursday, May 15, 2008. The California Supreme Court overturned a voter-approved ban on gay marriage, paving the way for the state to become the second in the United States where gay and lesbian residents can marry. The justices released the 4-3 decision Thursday, saying that domestic partnerships are not a good enough substitute for marriage in an opinion written by Chief Justice Ron George. (AP Photo/Eric Riserg)

There were whoops of joys and hugs and tears among scores of gay rights advocates and same-sex couples this morning outside the California Supreme Court building in San Francisco as word spread that the justices had cleared the way for gay and lesbian marriages.

Geoff Kors, executive director of Equality California, a gay rights group, ran out of the building on McAllister Street and screamed, "We won!" just after the decision was released at 10 a.m. Many people unfurled California state flags with rainbow stripes sewn on across the bottom.

"This is an incredibly historic day," said Judy Appel, executive director of Our Families Coalition, who is raising two children with her partner in Berkeley. "I'm so thrilled, I'm so excited for what this means for my family and all Californians."

Dave Chandler, who along with his partner, Jeff Chandler, was a plaintiff in the case, said, "I'm just cheering the joy. I'm feeling the joy all over. I feel that our kids will be well-protected when we have all the rights, responsibilities and benefits that married couples enjoy. The state of California has renewed my hope."

He said his partner was at their San Mateo home watching their two children, ages 1 and 4. The couple was married on Valentine's Day 2004 at San Francisco City Hall, one of nearly 4,000 same-sex weddings that were later annulled by the state Supreme Court.

Stuart Gaffney hugged his partner and proclaimed, "We're going to be newlyweds after 21 years together."

David Bowers and his partner were the first in line at the court clerk's office and the first to get a copy of the decision. The couple were also married at City Hall in 2004.

"That was one of the best things of my life. This is the next best thing," Bowers said. "There's tears everywhere. This can't be bad."

The three other justices, "in some future day, will wish they could take it back," she said.

"This is a wonderful day to be alive and to be in this movement," Kendell said.

Word of the decision spread quickly in the Castro District, for decades the city's gay epicenter. Around 11 a.m., a group of women in Harvey Milk Plaza hugged and screamed in celebration. One of the women, Irene Pick-Endrizzi, said she plans to remarry her partner of 15 years.

"I definitely believe the consciousness is evolving and it just takes time like everything else."

She expects a proposed constitutional amendment to ban the gay unions will fail with voters in November.

"My partner - wait, my wife - works in City Hall and she called me (with the news). We just celebrated our 15-year anniversary and both our birthdays are this week. It's the perfect time to have another party," Pick-Endrizzi said.

Advocates of same-sex marriage rejoiced outside the California Supreme Court building on McAllister Street in San Francisco on Thursday as word spread that the justices had cleared the way for gay and lesbian marriages in the state. Duration: 2:22. Camera

Media: San Francisco Chronicle

Nearby, inside the Twin Peaks bar, Mason Bowling, 61, said he recently celebrated his 30th anniversary with his partner, Patrick Fitzgerald, 58. The regulars inside the bar said they looking forward to the voter initiative in November.

"I'm a little surprised because of all the political stuff going on now. And it isn't over because in November it will be on the ballot. I think that it won't work for the other side. I think people in California are just a lot more liberal."